Support structure for a table

ABSTRACT

A table may include a table top and a support structure connected to the table top. The support structure may include a pair of legs that are movable between extended and collapsed positions relative to the table top. The support structure may also include a brace assembly with a first portion connected to the legs and a second portion connected to the table top. The first portion of the brace assembly may be a unitary, one-piece structure or it may include multiple interconnected components. The first portion of the brace assembly is preferably curved upwardly and inwardly towards a center portion of the table top.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/056,783, filed on May 28,2008 and entitled SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A TABLE, which is incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to furniture and, in particular,to tables.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional tables typically include legs that are connected to a tabletop. Many conventional tables include folding legs to allow the table tobe more easily transported and stored. These conventional tables mayinclude legs that are pivotally attached to the table top to allow thelegs to be moved between an extended position in which the legs extendoutwardly from the table top and a collapsed or storage position inwhich the legs are positioned near or adjacent to the table top. Thus,when the table is desired to be used, the legs are placed in theextended position. On the other hand, when the table is desired to betransported or stored, the legs can be placed in the collapsed orstorage position.

Conventional tables may include support struts to secure the legs in theextended position. The support struts, however, may be tricky to use andthe support struts can make it difficult and/or awkward to sit inparticular positions relative to the table. The support struts may limitthe leg room available to the users of the table.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A need therefore exists for a table that eliminates or diminishes thedisadvantages and problems described above.

One aspect is a table that may include a table top and a supportstructure. The support structure may include one or more legs that maybe movable between an extended or use position and a collapsed orstorage position relative to the table top. The support structure may,for example, include a pair of legs and a brace assembly. The braceassembly may connect the pair of legs together and may be sized andconfigured to allow the legs to move between the use and storagepositions. The brace assembly may also allow the legs to be locked inthe extended and/or collapsed positions.

Another aspect is table that may include a table top and a supportstructure with a pair of legs and a brace assembly. The brace assemblymay include a first portion connected to the legs and a second portionconnected to the table top. The first and second portions of the braceassembly may be movably interconnected, which may allow the braceassembly and/or the legs to move between the extended and collapsedpositions relative to the table top. In particular, as the legs aremoved between the extended and collapsed positions, the first and secondportions of the brace assembly may pivot, rotate, slide and/or otherwisemove relative to each other to allow the brace assembly and/or the legsto move between the extended and collapsed positions. Additionally, ifthe first and second portions of the brace assembly are movablyinterconnected, then the legs and the brace assembly may be more easilypositioned proximate or against a lower portion of the table top whenthe legs and brace assembly are in the storage position. Advantageously,when the legs and brace assembly are in the storage position, the legsand brace assembly may be generally aligned in the same plane and may bepositioned adjacent to and/or contacting the lower portion of the tabletop, which may permit the table to be more efficiently stored and/orshipped. That is, because the legs and brace assembly may be disposedadjacent and/or contacting a lower portion of the table top when thelegs and brace assembly are in the collapsed position, that may minimizethe thickness of the table and allow the table to be more easily shippedor stored because less space may be required.

Yet another aspect is a table that may provide increased leg room. Forexample, the table may include a brace assembly and a portion of thebrace assembly may be curved or arched away from the outer edges of thetable top, which may increase the leg room available under the tabletop. In addition, the table may include a brace assembly that is curvedor arched upwardly, which may also increase the amount of leg room.Significantly, the brace assembly may be curved or arched both upwardlyand away from the outer edges of the table top to increase leg room.Desirably, the brace assembly may be curved upwardly and inwardlytowards a center portion of the table top. Advantageously, the curved orarched brace assembly may allow a shorter connecting member to be usedto connect the curved portion of the brace assembly to the table top.

Still another aspect is a table that may allow users to sit in multipledifferent locations relative to the table top and still provide ampleleg room to such users. For instance, the table may include legs and abrace assembly may help connect the legs to the table top. The braceassembly preferably increases the versatility of the table by allowingpersons to sit in various positions relative to the table top withoutlimiting the leg room of the persons sitting at the table. That is, thebrace assembly may be sized and configured to allow persons to sit atany locations relative to the table top without limiting the leg room ofsuch persons.

Still yet another aspect is a table that may include a support structurewith a first leg, a second leg and a brace assembly. The brace assemblymay include a first portion that is connected to the first and secondlegs and a second portion that is connected to the table top. In greaterdetail, the first portion is preferably movably connected to the legsand the second portion is preferably movably connected to the table top.The first portion of the brace assembly preferably has a rigid,inflexible configuration and securely connects the first and secondlegs, which may help strengthen and/or reinforce the support structure.The secure connection of the legs by the first portion of the braceassembly may also help create a table that is sturdy and stable.Advantageously, the secure connection of the legs by the first portionof the brace may help eliminate the need for additional structure orsupports interconnecting the first and second legs. That is, noadditional supports or structures may be required to connect the legs.Because additional structure or supports may not be needed, the tablemay have more leg room. The additional legroom may also help providemore versatile seating at the table. For example, because the additionalstructure or supports may be eliminated, this may allow persons to sitin additional locations relative to the table top without the additionalstructure or supports limiting leg room or preventing persons fromsitting in certain locations.

A further aspect is a table that may include a brace assembly whichpivotally connects first and second legs to a table top. The braceassembly may include a first portion with one end that is connected tothe first leg and a second end that is connected to the second leg. Thefirst portion of the brace assembly is preferably pivotally connected tothe first and second legs. The first portion of the brace assembly maybe constructed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure. For example,the first portion of the brace may be constructed from a tube or rod.The first portion of the brace may also be constructed from one or morecomponents that may be interconnected. For instance, the first portionof the brace may include a first section that is connected to the firstleg and a second section that is connected to the second leg. The firstand second sections may then be connected to form the first portion ofthe brace assembly.

Another further aspect is a table that may include a brace assembly witha first portion and a second portion that are connected by a bracket.For example, the first portion of the brace assembly may include a firstsection and a second section that are connected by the bracket. Thesecond portion of the brace assembly may also be connected to thebracket. The bracket may include flanges to facilitate connection of thebracket to the first and second sections of the brace assembly. Thebracket may also include a flange that straddles and/or engages thesecond portion of the brace assembly when the brace assembly is in thestorage position, which may help position the legs and/or the braceassembly proximate or against a lower portion of the table top when thelegs and brace assembly as in the storage position.

Yet another further aspect is a table that may include legs which arepivotally connected to a table top and a brace assembly that ispivotally connected to the legs. For example, the brace assembly mayinclude a first portion that is pivotally connected proximate a midpointof a first leg and a second leg. The first portion of the brace assemblymay be curved or arched upwardly and towards a center portion of thetable top. A second portion of the brace assembly is preferablypivotally connected to the first portion of the brace assembly by abracket. The pivotal connection of the first and second portions of thebrace assembly is preferably disposed proximate the first portion of thebrace assembly but spaced apart from the first portion of the braceassembly by a distance. This may allow, for instance, the pivotalconnection of the first portion of the brace assembly to the legs to bealigned along an axis and the pivotal connection of the first and secondportions of the brace assembly to be space apart from the axis anddisposed towards the center portion of the table top. This may alsoallow the first portion and the second portion of the brace to haveapproximately the same length, which may facilitate shipping and/ormanufacturing of the table.

Still another further aspect is a brace assembly for a table that mayinclude a first portion which is pivotally connected to a first leg anda second leg of the table. The brace assembly may also include a secondportion that is pivotally connected to the table top. The first portionand the second portion of the brace assembly may be connected by abracket. In particular, the bracket may be connected proximate a centeror midpoint of the first portion of the brace assembly and the bracketmay be pivotally connected to an end of the second portion of the braceassembly. Thus, the brace assembly may include four pivot points and thepivotal connection of the second portion of the brace assembly to thebracket is preferably disposed proximate the first portion of the brace.For instance, the distance separating the pivotal connection of thesecond portion of the brace assembly and the bracket to the firstportion of the brace assembly may be less than the distance that thefirst portion of the bracket extends inwardly. That is, the firstportion of the brace assembly may be curved inwardly by a distance thatis more than the distance separating the pivotal connection of thesecond portion of the brace assembly to the bracket and the firstportion of the bracket.

Yet another further aspect is a brace assembly for a table that includesan engaging surface that engages a portion of the brace assembly whenthe legs are in the collapsed position. For example, the brace assemblymay include a bracket with a flange that is sized and configured toengage part of the second portion of the brace assembly when the legsare in the collapsed position. The brace assembly may also include areceiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a portion ofthe brace assembly when the legs are in the collapsed position.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments tofurther illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantagesand features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that thesedrawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are notintended to limit its scope. The invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of an exemplary table;

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of the table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a portion of the table shown in FIG. 2,illustrating a support structure and a brace assembly;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the table shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the table shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is perspective of another exemplary brace assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the table shownin FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the table shownin FIG. 7, illustrating a bracket; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the brace assembly shown inFIG. 6, illustrating the brace assembly in a storage or collapsedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally directed towards tables. Theprinciples of the present invention, however, are not limited to tables.It will be understood that, in light of the present disclosure, theinvention disclosed herein can be successfully used in connection withother types of structures such as chairs, benches, seats and the like.

Additionally, to assist in the description of the table, words such astop, bottom, front, rear, right and left may be used to describe theaccompanying figures, which may be but are not necessarily drawn toscale. It will be appreciated that the table can also be located in avariety of positions and/or orientations. It will further be appreciatedthat the table can have a variety of suitable shapes, sizes,configurations and arrangements. For example, the table may be a cardtable, utility table, picnic table, personal table, etc. The table mayalso be round, square, rectangular, oval and so forth. Thus, a person ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the table may have avariety of suitable forms and figures depending, for example, upon theintended use of the table. A detailed description of the table nowfollows.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a table 10 may include a table top 12 and thetable top may be constructed from blow-molded plastic. The table top 12may include an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer perimeter.The upper surface of the table top 12 may be spaced apart from the lowersurface of the table top by a distance, which may be a generallyconstant distance. The table top 12 may also include a hollow interiorportion disposed between the upper and lower portions of the table top.The table top 12, including the upper portion, the lower portion and thehollow interior portion, may be integrally formed as part of unitary,one-piece structure during the blow-molding process. It will beappreciated that the table top 12 may be constructed using othersuitable materials such as wood, metal and the like. It will also beappreciated that the table top 12 may be constructed using otherprocesses and methods such as injection molding, rotary molding, and thelike.

The table 10 may also include a first support structure 14 and thesecond support structure 16. The support structures 14, 16 may includeone or more legs and the support structures may be movable between anextended or use position and a collapsed or storage position relative tothe table top 12. For example, the first support structure 14 mayinclude a first pair of legs 18, 20, and the second support structure 16may include a second pair of legs 22, 24.

The table 10 may include a frame 26 and the frame may be connected tothe table top 12. If desired, the support structures 14, 16 may beconnected to the frame 26. In addition, the support structures 14, 16may be movably connected to the frame 26 to allow the legs 18, 20, 22,24 to move between the use and storage positions. For example, thesupport structures 14, 16 may include cross members 28, 30 and the legs18, 20, 22, 24 may be connected to the cross members. The cross member28, 30 may then be connected to the frame 26. In particular, the frame26 may include elongated support members or rails 32, 34 and the crossmembers 28, 30 may be connected to the rails. It will be appreciatedthat the cross members 28, 30 may also be part of the frame 26.

The legs 18, 20, 22, 24, however, do not have to be connected to thecross members 28, 30 or the frame 26. Instead, the legs 18, 20, 22, 24may be connected to any suitable portions of the table 10. It will alsobe appreciated that the table 10 may include any suitable number of legsand/or support structures depending, for example, upon the intended useof the table. It will also be appreciated that the table top 12, thesupport structures 14, 16, and the legs 18, 20, 22, 24 may have varioussizes, shapes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example,upon the intended use of the table 10. It will further be appreciatedthat the frame 26, the rails 32, 34 and/or the cross members 28, 30 arenot required; and that the table 10 may have other components, features,aspects, characteristics and the like, if desired.

The first and second support structures 14, 16 may also include firstand second brace assemblies 36, 38, respectively. The brace assemblies36, 38 may be connected to the legs 18, 20, 22, 24, and may be sized andconfigured to allow the legs to move between the use and storagepositions. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the brace assemblies 36, 38 mayinclude a first portion 40 that may be connected to the legs 18, 20, 22,24, respectively, and a second portion 42 that may be connected to thetable top 12. The first and second portions 40, 42 may be interconnectedto form the brace assemblies 36, 38.

In greater detail, the first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38may be pivotally connected to the legs 18, 20, 22, 24, respectively, andthe second portion 42 of the brace assemblies may be pivotally connectedto the table top 12. Desirably, the brace assemblies 36, 38 and the legs18, 20, 22, 24 move together between the extended or use position andthe collapsed or storage position. In particular, as the legs 18, 20,22, 24 are moved between the use and storage positions, the supports 40,42 may pivot, rotate, slide and/or move relative to each other to allowthe brace assemblies 36, 38 and/or the legs to move between the use andstorage positions. The legs 18, 20, 22, 24 and the brace assemblies 36,38 are preferably positioned proximate and/or against the lower portionof the table top 12 in the storage position, which may permit the table10 to be more efficiently stored and/or shipped because the thickness orwidth of the table may be minimized.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38may include a first section 44 and a second section 46. The firstsection 44 may be connected to the first leg 18, 22, respectively, andthe second section 46 may be connected to the second leg 20, 24,respectively. The first section 44 is preferably pivotally connected tothe first leg 18, 22 and the second section 46 is preferably pivotallyconnected to the second leg 20, 24.

The first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 may be part of aunitary, one-piece structure. Thus, the first section 44 and the secondsection 46 of the first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 may bepart of the unitary, one-piece structure. The first portion 40 of thebrace assemblies 36, 38 may also include an intermediate section 48 thatis disposed between the first and second sections 44, 46.

In greater detail, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first portion 40 ofthe brace assembly 36, 38 may be constructed from a unitary, one-piecemember, such as an elongated tube or rod 50. The tube or rod 50 mayinclude a first end 52 connected to the first leg 18, 22, a second end54 connected to the second leg 20, 24, and an intermediate portion 56disposed between the first and second ends of tube or rod.

The first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 preferably securelyconnects the first leg 18, 22 and the second leg 20, 24, respectively.In addition, the first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 ispreferably a generally rigid, relatively strong and inflexible memberthat helps secure the legs 18, 20, 22, 24 in a fixed position.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the first portion 40 of the braceassemblies 36, 38 may have a generally curved configuration. The firstportion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 preferably curves upwardly andinwardly towards a central portion of the table top 12 when the legs arein the extended or use position. In addition, when the legs are in theextended or use position, the first portion 40 of the brace assembly 36,38 may be generally positioned offset from a plane aligned with thefirst leg 18, 22 and the second leg 20, 24, respectively, which may helpprovide additional legroom. The first portion 40 of the brace assemblies36, 38 is generally aligned and in the same plane as the legs 18, 20,22, 24 with the legs are in the collapsed or storage position.

The first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 may help strengthenand/or reinforce the legs 18, 20, 22, 24. This may help avoid the needfor additional supports or other structures to be connected to the legs18, 20, 22, 24. For example, the first portion 40 of the braceassemblies 36, 38 may securely hold the legs 18, 20, 22, 24 in thedesired positions when the legs are in the collapsed and/or extendedpositions. This may eliminate the need for any other supports orstructures to be connected to the legs. Specifically, no other supportsor structures may be needed to interconnect the legs or attach the legsto the table. Therefore, no additional supports or structures may bedisposed between the legs and/or aligned in the same plane as the firstand second legs. Because the first pair of legs 18, 20 and the secondpair of legs 22, 24 may only be connected by the first portion 40 of thebrace assemblies 36, 38, the first portion of the brace assembly may bethe structure that is disposed between the distal ends of the legs 18,20, 22, 24 and the cross members 28, 30. Because no additional supportor structures may be used to connect and position the legs 18, 20, 22,24, the table 10 may have even more leg room than a conventional table.

The additional legroom may help provide more versatile seating at thetable 10. For example, because the brace assemblies 36, 38 may notinterfere or limit the positioning of persons around the table 10, thetable may be used in more configurations and arrangements. In addition,if the table 10 has a round table top 12, then the brace assemblies 36,38 may allow persons to be seated at virtually any position relative tothe table top without the brace assemblies interfering with sitting atthe table. It will be appreciated that the brace assemblies 36, 38 mayalso be used with tables 10 and table tops 12 having different shapes,sizes, configurations and arrangements. It will also be appreciated thatthe table 10 may include additional supports interconnecting the legs.It will further be appreciated that the first portion 40 of the braceassembly 36, 38 may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurationsand arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of thetable 10.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36,38 is attached proximate a midpoint of the legs 18, 20, 22, 24.Preferably there is no other structure connected to the legs 18, 20, 22,24 other than the first portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38. Thefirst portion 40 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 is preferably pivotallyconnected to the legs 18, 20, 22, 24, and to the second portion 42 ofthe brace assembles. The pivot point where the first and second portions40, 42 of the brace assemblies is preferably spaced apart from the firstportion by a distance. The distance separating the pivot point of thefirst and second portions 40, 42 from the first portion is preferablyless than the distance the first portion is curved or arched inwardly.

To help position the legs 18, 20, 22, 24 and the brace assemblies 36, 38proximate and/or against the lower portion of the table top 12, thefirst portion 40 of the brace assembly 36, 38 may straddle and/or engagea section of the second portion 42 of the brace assembly. For example,the first portion 40 may include a receiving portion 58 (such as anopening, cut-out, recess, notch, channel, groove or the like) that issized and configured to receive a section of the second portion 42 whenthe legs 18, 20, 22, 24 and/or the brace assemblies 36, 38 are in thestorage position. In addition, the first portion 40 of the braceassembly 36, 38 may straddle a section of the second portion 42 when thelegs 18, 20, 22, 24 and/or the brace assemblies 36, 38 are in thestorage position. The receiving portion 58 is preferably disposed atleast proximate the intermediate portions 48, 56 of the first portion 40of the brace assembly 36, 38.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second portion 42 of the brace assembly may havea generally T-shaped end 60, which may be connected to the first portion40 of the brace assembly by one or more brackets 62. The generallyT-shaped configuration of the end 60 of the second portion 42 of thebrace assembly may advantageously help the second portion resist torquethat may be applied to the support structures 14, 16. An opposing end 64of the second portion 40 of the support brace may be connected to thetable top 12. For example, a cross member 66 may be connected to thetable top 12 and the second portion 42 of the brace assemblies 36, 38may be connected to the cross member 66. It will be appreciated that thesecond portion 42 of the brace assemblies 36, 38 may be connected to anysuitable portions of the table 10 and the cross member 66 is notrequired. It will also be appreciated that the brace assemblies 36, 38may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangementsdepending, for example, upon the intended use of the table 10. It willfurther be appreciated that support structures 14, 16 may have othersuitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, forexample, upon the shape, size, configuration and arrangement of thebrace assemblies 36, 38.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6-9, the brace assembly 68 may include afirst portion 70 that is connected to the legs 18, 20, 22, 24,respectively, and a second portion 72 that is connected to the table top12. Preferably, the first portion 70 is pivotally connected to the legs18, 20, 22, 22, 24, respectively, and the second portion 72 is pivotallyconnected to the table top 12. In addition, the first and secondportions 70, 72 of the brace assembly 68 are preferably pivotallyconnected.

In greater detail, the first portion 70 of the brace assembly 68 mayinclude a first section 74 that is connected to the first leg 18, 22,and a second section 76 that is connected to the second leg 20, 24. Thefirst portion 70 of the brace assembly 68 may also include anintermediate section 78 that is disposed between or connected to thefirst and second sections 74, 76. The first portion 70 of the braceassembly 68 may have a unitary, one-piece construction or it may includemultiple components that are interconnected. Desirably, the firstportion 70 of the brace assembly 68 has a relatively strong and rigidconfiguration in which the first, second and intermediate sections 74,76, 78 are disposed in a fixed position. Advantageously, this may allowthe first portion 70 of the brace assembly 68 to securely hold the legs18, 20, 22, 24 in a fixed position.

The brace assembly 68 is preferably constructed from a relatively strongand sturdy material such as metal. For example, the first and secondsections 74, 76 of the first portion 70 of the brace assembly 68 may beconstructed from elongated members, such as metal rods or tubes 80, 82.It will be appreciated that the brace assembly 68 may be constructedfrom other materials with suitable characteristics.

As best seen in FIGS. 6-9, the first portion 70 of the brace assembly 68may include a bracket 84 and the bracket may connect the first andsection sections 74, 76 of the first portion 70 of the brace assembly68. In greater detail, the elongated members 80, 82 may include a firstportion that is pivotally connected to the first leg 18, 22 and a secondportion that is connected to the bracket 84 in a fixed position. Asshown in the accompanying drawings, the elongated members 80, 82 may becurved inwardly and upwardly towards a central portion of the table top12. In addition, the elongated members 80, 82 may be generallypositioned offset from a plane aligned with the first leg 18, 22 and thesecond leg 20, 24, when the first and second legs are in the extended oruse position. The elongated members 80, 82 may be generally aligned inthe plane when the first and second legs 18, 20, 22, 24 are in thecollapsed or storage position.

To help position the legs 18, 20, 22, 24 and the brace assembly 68proximate and/or adjacent to the lower portion of the table top 12, apart of the first portion 70 of the brace assembly 68 may straddle apart of the second portion 72 of the brace assembly. For example, asshown in FIGS. 8-9, the first portion 70 of the brace assembly 68 mayinclude a receiving portion 86 that is sized and configured to receive apart of the second portion 72 when the legs 18, 20, 22, 24 and/or thebrace assemblies 68 are in the storage position. The receiving portion86 may be disposed between first and second flanges 88, 90 of thebracket 84. In addition, the flanges 88, 90 of the bracket 84 maystraddle part of the second portion 72 of the brace assembly 68 when thelegs 18, 20, 22, 24 and/or the brace assemblies 68 are in the storageposition. When the legs 18, 20, 22, 24 and/or the brace assemblies 68are in the use position, the second portion 72 of the brace assembly 68is preferably not disposed in the receiving portion 86. As shown in FIG.6, the bracket 84 and the receiving portion 86 may be disposed at leastproximate the intermediate portion 78 of the first portion 70 of thebrace assembly 68. It will be appreciated, however, that the braceassembly 68 may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations andarrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the table10. It will also be appreciated that the brace assembly 68 may haveother suitable parts, components, aspects and features, if desired.

As discussed above, the table top 12 may be construed from moldedplastic and the other portions of the table 10 may be constructed frommetal. For instance, the frame 26, the rails 32, 34 and/or the braceassemblies 36, 38 and 68 may be constructed from metal, which may allowa relatively strong and lightweight table 10 to be constructed. It willbe appreciated that the table 10, including the table top 12 and thevarious components discussed above, may also be constructed from othersuitable materials and using different processes.

Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferredembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, thescope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claimswhich follow.

1. A table comprising: a table top; and a support structure connected tothe table top and movable between a use position and a collapsedposition relative to the table top, the support structure comprising: afirst leg; a second leg; and a brace assembly movably connected to thefirst leg and the second leg, the brace assembly comprising: a firstportion connected to the first leg and the second leg, the first portionhaving a curved configuration that curves towards a central portion ofthe table top when the support structure is in the use position; and asecond portion including a first end connected to the first portion ofthe brace assembly and a second end connected to the table top.
 2. Thetable as in claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg aregenerally disposed in a first plane; wherein the first portion of thebrace assembly is disposed at an angle from the first plane when thesupport structure is in the use position; and wherein the first portionof the brace assembly is generally disposed in the first plane when thesupport structure is in the collapsed storage position.
 3. The table asin claim 1, wherein the first portion of the brace assembly isconstructed from a unitary, one-piece metal tube.
 4. The table as inclaim 3, wherein the first portion of the brace assembly includes areceiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a part of thesecond portion of the brace assembly when the support structure is inthe collapsed position; and wherein the second portion of the braceassembly is disposed outside of and is spaced apart from the receivingportion when the support structure is in the use position.
 5. The tableas in claim 4, wherein the first portion of the brace assembly ismovably connected to the second portion of the brace assembly by abracket.
 6. The table as in claim 3, wherein the first portion of thebrace assembly is the only structure connected to the first leg and thesecond leg between a lower end and an upper end of the first leg and thesecond leg.
 7. The table as in claim 1, wherein the first portion of thebrace assembly includes a bracket, the bracket including a receivingportion that is sized and configured to receive a part of the secondportion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in thecollapsed position.
 8. The table as in claim 7, wherein the part of thesecond portion of the brace assembly is disposed outside of and isspaced apart from the receiving portion when the support structure is inthe use position.
 9. The table as in claim 8, wherein the first portionof the brace assembly is movably connected to the second portion of thebrace assembly by the bracket.
 10. A table comprising: a table top; anda support structure movable between a use position and a collapsedposition relative to the table top, the support structure comprising: across member connected to the table top; a first leg connected to thecross member; a second leg connected to the cross member; and a braceassembly including a first portion connected to the first leg and thesecond leg, the first portion of the brace assembly having anarch-shaped configuration with an apex of the arch extending upwardlyand inwardly towards a center portion of the table top when the supportstructure is in the use position, the brace assembly including a secondportion with a first end connected to the first portion of the braceassembly and a second end connected to the table top.
 11. The table asin claim 10, wherein the first and second legs are generally disposed ina first plane; wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is offsetfrom the first plane at an angle when the support structure in the useposition; and wherein the first portion of the brace assembly isgenerally disposed in the first plane when the support structure is inthe collapsed position.
 12. The table as in claim 10, wherein the firstportion of the brace assembly has a generally constant radius ofcurvature between a first end connected to the first leg to a second endconnected to the second leg.
 13. The table as in claim 10, furthercomprising a receiving portion in the first portion of the braceassembly that is sized and configured to receive a part of the secondportion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in thecollapsed position.
 14. The table as in claim 10, wherein the firstportion of the brace assembly is constructed from a unitary, one-piecemetal tube.
 15. The table as in claim 10, wherein the first portion ofthe brace assembly includes a bracket, the bracket including a receivingportion that is sized and configured to receive a part of the secondportion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in thecollapsed position.
 16. A table comprising: a table top; a supportstructure connected to the table top, the first support structuremovable between an use position that facilitate use of the table and acollapsed position that facilitates shipping or storage of the table,the support structure comprising: a first leg; a second leg; and a braceassembly, the brace assembly including a first portion connected to thefirst leg and the second leg, the first portion having a curvedconfiguration that extends upwardly and towards a center portion of thetable top when the support structure is in the use position, the braceassembly including a second portion that is connected to the firstportion of the brace assembly and the table top.
 17. The table as inclaim 16, further comprising a bracket connecting the first portion ofthe brace assembly to the second portion of the brace assembly, thebracket including an engaging portion that engages a part of the secondportion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in thecollapsed position.
 18. The table as in claim 17, wherein the firstportion of the brace assembly is curved inwardly by a distance that isgreater than a length of the bracket when the support structure is inthe use position.
 19. The table as in claim 16, further comprising areceiving portion in the first portion of the brace assembly that issized and configured to receive a part of the second portion of thebrace assembly when the support structure is in the collapsed position.20. The table as in claim 16, wherein the first portion of the braceassembly is disposed between and generally aligned with the first legand the second leg when the support structure is in the collapsedposition. central portion of the table top when the first and secondlegs are in the extended use position.